Lock for automatic connecters



Dec. 8, 1925.

M. A. BARBER LOQK FOR AUTOMATIC CONNECTERS 2 Sheets-sheaf 1 Filed NovQlD, 192:5

N NN

.Dec. 8, 1925. 1,564,999

M. A. BARBER LOCK FOR AUTOMATIC CONNECTERS Filed Nov. 10, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented 1925.

UNITED STATES Parser ,oFFic MARTIN A. BARBER, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN AUTO- MATIC CONNECTOR COMPANY, OF WYOMING, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

LooK non AUTOMATIC conNnc'rERs.

Application filed November 10, 1 23. Serial 116,674,087." v

and useful Improvement in a Look for Automatic Connecters, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to automatic train pipe connecters and is particularly concerned with the provlsion of, means for insuring a.

close-fitting engagement between coupled connecter heads.

Numerous devices for effecting an interlocking action between coupled heads have.

heretofore been used, one of which comprises a spring pressed plunger which is carried by one head and is arranged to engage a cooperating shoulder in a coacting head. The

principal objection to a locking device of this character isthe fact that the spring is apt to weaken after continued use, wherefore a positive locking action is not effected.

One of the objects of my invention, therefore, is the provision of a simple device which insures a positive locking action. between coacting connecter heads. Moreover, my invention contemplates the provision of a durable device which may be readily attached to existing automatic connecters.

Further objects of my invention residein details of construction and combination of parts, all of which will be more clearly understood from the following description. The essential characteristics of my invention will be summarized in the claims: I

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a pair of coupled connecter heads having my invention attached thereto; Fig. 2 is a front View of a connecter head showing my invention in end elevation; Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33. in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale through a portion of a connecter head;

My invention is adapted for use with various forms of connecters, but in the drawings I have illustrated it in connection with a form of automatic connecter having spring pressed coupler, head supported by the draw bar of a train coupler and provided on one side with a projection and on the other side with a recess. This constructlon' is indicated in the various figures wherein A indicates the draw bar of a railway car,

B the coupler thereof, and C the bracketdepending from the draw bar and carrying the automatic connectors to which the train pipes areadapted to be attached.

The automatic connecter illustrated com-Q prises a head 10 having orifices at 11, 12' and 13 for receiving the air signalpipe, the air brakepipe and the steam pipe respectively.

These orifices arearranged in a vertical line adjacent the center of the head and are p0 sitioned intermediate theprojection 14 and recess 15. "Each head is shown as having a shank 16 which has a sliding and universally movable connection with the bracketC, and as having a. strong compression spring 17 surrounding the shank which presses the head away from the bracket so that in normally coupled position the springs are compressed. Y

My invention is concerned with the provision of a'lock for receiving the connected '7 heads in coupled position, and to this end I have shown it as embodied in a lock, which may be readily. secured to each projection, and which is adapted to cooperate with a shoulder in the recess with which the projection coacts. The preferred lock briefly comprises a spring-pressed plunger 23 within a casingQO which is adapted to be attached to the lower end of a projectoin 14. The plunger is arranged to engage a shoulder 32 which comprises the wall of an opening 33 in the coacting recess 15 when the heads are coupled, Wherefore any non-axial force, such as increased pressure in the steam pipe, is.

withstood by the locking device.

.To insure a positive locking action'of the plunger, I provide av relatively stationary;

member or ejector which'is shown as a rigid bar 40, the'rearward end of which is adaptspring seat 41-, and the forward end of which is adapted to be in sliding engagement with the top of the plunger. The forward end of the bar as at 4:2, is reduced in thickness from the main portion of the bar, and is merged with the main portion by a conical ramp43.

When the heads are in uncoupled position the adjustment of-each head with relation to the associated bracket is such that the reduced portion of the ejector is disposed intermediate-'thetop of the plunger and the bottom of 3 09,1345; A spring withinthe casing maintains the plunger in engagement with the ejector. In this" position the plunger is withdrawn into the casing.

The preferred connection between the ejector and the spring seat 21 is a threaded engagement as heretofore stated To prevent removal of the ejector by reason ofthe fact that; the heads are subjected to ajar-- ringaction, when the train is in motion, I

prefer to make' the ejector sufficiently long tolproject through opposed openings 46and' 4.7. respectively in the casing: The openings are. sufficientv in size to. accommodate the main. portion-of the ejector.

To assemble a. device made in accordance M with. my invention,the ejector is. threaded tothe; spring seat before the shank with the associated head is passed therethrough. While the head.v is thus removed, the'casing, having, a; springfpressed plunger therein, is

W rigidly secured to the head in such manner that the openings i6. and 47 arefadaptedto be brought into alignment with the ejector when the shank is forcedthrou-gh the spring seat. against the tension of the spring '1 7 Asjheretofore. explained, the reduced pore tionof the ejector isdisposedintermediate the.cap;and. the plunger when the head is in normal extended position, and the connecter is uncoupled When the head is moved backwardly during. the normal. coupling operation, then, the: casing is.v moved rearwardly with relationt the member i0 until the main portion. of? the ejector is disposed intermediate the plunger and. the. cap; In.

this positionthe plunger is ejected from the between the heads -land. the I supporting bracket. therein...

Having thus described my invention, I

claim 1. In combination, an automatic connecter head, a support therefor, a universal oint between the head and the support. including a spring seat, said head having a downwardly extending opening therein, a casing carried b the head adjacent the opening; a locl'ringplunger slid abl v mounted within the casing, a spring associated with the plunger and tending normally to hold the plunger within the casing, said casing having lateral aligned openings therein, and a rigid member carried bvthe spring seat and extendingthrough said lateral openings, said member having portions of different thickness in the region adjacent the casing,

whereby movement of theiheacl witlirrefenenceto the support causes the member to enter the casing and permits the spring to withdraw the'plunger into said casing.

2. In combination, an automatic connecter head; a support therefor, auniversal joint between the support and'head inclnding a trunnion block mounted for rotation about ahorizontal axis and'a spring seat mounted for rotation about a vertical axis,

a rigid member attached to the underside of the spring seat and'projecting into said head, a casing-carried. by the head adjacent the forward end of the member, saidmember comprising a round cam barhavingthe cam portion adjacent the casing and having the forward end-portion smaller than the intermediate: portion,v and a springwithin' the casing for urging the plunger. intoen gagementf with said member whereby the lun 'er is normallv ur ed into unlockin p P! g r g position. 7

3. In combination, a pair ofautomatic, tram. pipe connecter heads, each havlng a;

projection and a recess, theprojection of one head. coactingwiththe recess of a cooperating head." each recess having a shoulder adjacent the bottom thereof, and each head having a. casingdisposedi opposite the shoullde'r, a plunger movable within each casing, a support for each head, a rigid member extending forwardlyfrom each support and projecting through the" associated casing, yieldable means for normally urg ng the plunger 1nto the casing,

said] member. having such 7 shape that the plunger may be urged by the spring into the casing when the heads are uncoupled, but is ejected, from the casing during. the normal coupling. operation.

4. In combination a pair of automatic-- train pipe connecter heads each having a projection and'a' recess, the projection of i one head. coacting with-the recess of 00 operating. head, a latch memberin each head. an opening in the wallof therecess of each head into which the latch is adapt-- ed'to. extend for: lOCkl'Ilg:--,tl1Q heads, together;

a bracket supporting each head, a rigid projection coacts when the ramp is brought member associated with each bracket and into engagement with the latch, said enhaving a ramp thereon, a spring normally gagement being effected upon movement of urging each latch into engagement with the the heads with relation to the associated member for normally tending to maintain brackets.

the latch in unlocking position, said latch In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my being adapted to enter the opening in the signature. I wall of the recess with which the associated MARTIN A. BARBER. 

